As part of the Brand Values Alignment through Dual Career (BRAVA) project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union, a hybrid conference “A Talk in Dual Career” was hosted in Brussels on December 12, 2023.

The event was opened by EPSI Director Alberto Bichi, who welcomed the participants on behalf of the hosting organization and project consortium. 

Prof Ciaran Mac Donncha from the University of Limerick (UL) as the main coordinator gave an overview of the project, highlighting the main outcomes and findings of the projects, including report with recommendations and self-assessment evaluation tool.

Various aspects, values and relevance of dual career were shared by Kolë Gjeloshaj, Strategic coordinator at the European Fair-Play Movement (EFPM), previous Chair of the International Fair-Play Committee (CIFP) Scientific Committee, Scientific Collaborator at the Institute of Sociology– Université Libre de Bruxelles and Vice-President of the Panathlon Wallonie-Bruxelles and Belgium.

Florentia Sfakianou, Olympian and Public Affairs Officer at International Military Sports Council (CISM), shared her own experiences in dual career as former diver who represented Greece as a finalist in Synchronized Diving - 10 meters platform, at the 2024 Olympic Games in Athens; as well as her career the Hellenic Navy and member of the Greek Delegation to CISM.

Last speaker was Ignazio Cocchiere, Policy officer in the Sport Unit of the European Commission’s department for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (DG EAC). He spoke about European values and priorities in the field of sport, including the importance of dual career from the viewpoint of the EU and Sport Unit, as well as from his personal experiences, being a professional football player in Italy, Switzerland and Belgium, combining his sports career with his studies and work in the EU institutions.

Over 30 in-person and 100 online participants also had a chance to review the 16 recommendations / dual career workplace guidelines, with the benefits that implementation can provide for both employees and employers.

Prior to the conference, the project partners met for their final meeting. BRAVA is coordinated by the University of Limerick, and the partner consortium consists of the European Athlete as Student - EAS (MLT), European Platform for Sports and Innovation - EPSI (BEL), EUSA Institute (SLO), Foundation Human Age Institute (ITA), University of Ljubljana (SLO), Roma Tre University (ITA), Elite Sports Academy Aarhus - ESAA (DEN), University of Nis, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education (SRB).

European University Sports Association (EUSA) with its Institute is a strong promoter of dual career, encouraging student athletes to pursue their excellence in sports and academia, also when it comes to professional development and employment of student athletes and sports officials.

For more information about the BRAVA project in general, and specifically about evaluation tool and report, please see www.bravadualcareer.eu.